Pandora's Box - Chapter 36
TITLE: Pandora's Box - Chapter 36
DISCLAIMER: I didn't own any of the character but i own the plotXD
GENRE: romance, slice of life, drama
CHARACTERS: Inoo, Yabu, Yaotome, Arioka, Yamada, Takaki, Nakajima
SUMMARY: Hatred turned to love, silence turned to seeking and lies become truth. Kota just hit the rock bottom making him realize that memories should not remained unlock. He seek for truth, he yearned for what really happened and why things are going this and that. But what if he is going further to what is already near to him? Is everything gone too late to change? Everyone is given curiosity and so will you open the box as well?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the revised version of my on going fanfic Pandora's Box. Enjoy^___^
Pandora's Box
Chapter 36
"Memories"
Sharley was in the airport waiting to picked someone from the agency. She was waiting for the arrival when someone called her phone. According to her phone it was her best friend when she was still young and know everything about her.
"I told you… that guy's adopted son was still alive but he can't remember anything about me at all. Well of course I am shocked when I saw him but fortunately he can't remember what I did. I don't want to remember that… it was a mistake and I don't want to recall about it anymore but seeing him make me remember about it again. I am so stupid falling for that guy and even do whatever he asked me to do. To kidnapped that pretty boy… we even didn't gain anything at all. He died and leave me alone… he was so stupid." she said softly. "The pretty boy? I am not sure if he was still alive since I never seen him but if ever he saw me then for sure I am already in jail right now. I am sure he can remember my face. But don't worry… I know his name so I can track him wherever he is.. Yeah… his name… it's Kei Inoo." Sharley confessed. "For I know that boy might be already dead coz I heard he have a heart disease or something…"
"No… he is still alive." Sharley heard from somewhere. She thought that it was her friend who said that but she said he didn't say something. She ended the call instantly and look at her side where he saw a smaller guy than her staring smartly.
"I guess… you owe me an explanation... besides that pretty boy that you are talking about is my friend. Anyway… I'm Daiki Arioka and I just came back from France. Nice meeting you." he said as he offered his right hand for a shake.
...
"I'm home." the 9 years old Kota said as he entered the apartment that they were renting in Myojin. The house was so dark and lifeless and no one answered him back. He just went straight to his room and put his bag on it, go to the kitchen and cook something for dinner. After a few hours, his mother arrived from his work as a librarian and have some supply with her.
"Kou, water." she commanded. Kota immediately obey, he get a glass of water and give it to her instantly. He goes back to the food that he was cooking, making sure that it will taste good for his own mother. "Your dad?"
"He didn't arrived yet." he answered her. "Mom, dinner is finished. I'll make sure that it taste good."
"I don’t care, everything taste the same ones it reach the stomach." Suzanne replied to him. "I'm tired… I'll just take a bath and call me when your dad came."
"Ok." Kota answered.
Kota waited for his father to arrived but it's already 9 in the evening and he was not coming back. He was already hungry and the food that he cook already gone cold. His mother keep on asking him if he already arrived but there is no and not yet answered that comes to his mouth. 10 arrived and Kota falls asleep already and he just felt being kick in the stomach that woken him up.
"Yo, brat… get out of my way." Ryo told him. "Suzanne… dinner!" he shouted. "I'm hungry." he said again while drinking his bottle of alcohol.
Suzanne went out of the room and she saw Kota groaning in pain while touching his stomach but she just ignore him and started preparing for the meal. She knew Ryo was drunk again and he was in a bad mood. She put the food in the table and her husband started eating. Kota also sitted down to eat since he was hungry waiting for him but Ryo forbid him to eat in the same time as he is and so he waited for him to finished.
When Ryo finished his dinner he just went straight to his room and sleep. Suzanne clean his mess and then look at Kota who was just sitting as to where he was watching his father. "Kou, it's time for you to eat." she told him.
"Mom, why is dad like that? It seems like… he doesn't really cares about it." Kota said.
"Stop saying nonsense thing."
"Bu..but… he started to change now… he… he always go home drunk and also… he… he was not hesitating to hurt us."
Suzanne clang the dishes that make Kota jolted. "I told you to stop talking bad things about your father. Just eat and shut up." she scolded.
Ryo's physical abused didn't just end by kicking Kota. It continuous and day by day it just get worst. He went home drunk and also he started hitting Suzanne as well. He loss his job and he became a lazy drunkard who don't have goal in life. Kota go to school with an injured face, bruises and sometimes he collapsed because of hunger. There are times that he wanted to quit school but Suzanne didn't want it. Since he love his mother he did whatever she asked him to do without any questions and complains.
While packing his things into his bag he heard his classmate talking about one classmate of him. "Inoo-san looks so pretty but he have a very bad personality." one girl said.
"Yeah… I don't want him as well. He was so strict and he was always serious. It's hard to approach him."
"Even he looks so nice… it is a disappointment."
Kota ignored their words and he just exited the room. When he first entered the school it was Kei Inoo who he first noticed. He thought, what a wonderful girl, but then he ended up knowing that he is a guy. But even they were classmates they never talk to each other yet. They were both separated from the crowd. They have their own world and they don't have circle of friends but despite of the similarities they never tried being close to each other.
"Where is it? Where the hell is it?" Ryo asked madly. He keep on scattering things on his room as if he was searching for something. Kota was the only inside and he wanted to help his father searching for it but he was afraid that he will just be hurt. "Where is my camera?" he asked. "Kota… where is my camera?"
"C…camera?" Kota asked. "Yo…you mean the one you let me throw."
"Throw? You throw my camera?"
"Bu…but… you said that you don't want to photograph anymore and asked me to throw it away." Kota defended himself.
"Are you asshole? Why will I say that to something important to me. You are deceiving me… you brat… you bring unlucky things to me. I hope you will not born anymore."
"I…I am not deceiving you dad… you really said that to me. Asked mom and she will confirm it . She heard you said that to me."
Ryo pushed Kota on the floor and then tightened his grip on his left arm. "Yo…you… just seeing your face… I wanted to kill you."
"Da…dad… i…it hurt. Please let go of me." Kota said but he received a punch on the face and on the stomach.
"You need to be punish… punish.." he shouted. He get a bat that Kota used to play in baseball and without hesitation he hit Kota's left hand making him shout in pain. Because of its power there no doubt that his left arm was broken. "I wanted you to die… I wanted you to die…" he said.
Suzanne came in and saw what Ryo was doing to Kota. She pushed him away from his son but Ryo just pushed her away powerfully that she hit her back on the wall. "Mom…" Kota shouted. "Please stop… dad… please don't hurt mom." he said even he was suffering so much pain from his left arm. Ryo sighed and then go out of the house.
Suzanne approached Kota "What the hell did you do to him? Why was he so mad? I told you to not do things that will make him mad like that."
"But mom… he was searching for his camera that he asked me to throw and he was desperately searching for it." Kota answered her.
"You asshole… stupid son." she cursed. "Come here…" she said but then when he touched Kota he was hot and feverish and also his left arm was so swollen that he can't make it move. Upon seeing that, Suzanne's mother's instinct instantly work and he brought him to the hospital in the main city to be cured. The doctor treat him and said that he need to stay in the hospital for a week for his arm's recovery and also he was feverish and weak.
3 days of Kota staying in the hospital he felt bored by just staying on his room and so he take a tour in the hospital. He went to the rooftop where everything can be seen. It's rare for him to go to the main city and so he wanted to see everything. When he reach it he saw someone standing at the edge and it is someone he knew.
"Inoo." he called.
That little boy look at Kota and the two look at each other like it was the first time the two of them have an eye contact with each other. He remembered that movie that he watch in the television about a man standing at the same position and wanted to end his life because of all the problems that he have. He thought that his classmate was thinking the same and so he got worried and started to panic. "Wh…what are you doing? Why are you standing there? I…It's dangerous."
"I know." Kei answered him back.
"If you know then why still stay there. Come on… go down… come here."
"If I jump here… things will be over. I will not suffer, my mom will not suffer, everyone surrounding me will not suffer anymore. If I jump here then…"
"What the hell are you talking about… come on already." he said trying to stretch up his hand so that his classmate can take it.
"Why prolong my life when I will die anyway." he whispered. He took a deep breathe but he suddenly felt something heavy grabbed him and made him fall down the ground. He opened his eyes and he saw Kota below him holding him tightly so he won't go away.
"When you are planning to kill your life then don't do it in front of me." he shouted on him. "Besides why are you doing this? You are too young to die. You're not some old man who was kicked out of his job or being left out by his family like what I watched in the television."
"Then what should I do? I can't stand seeing my mom cry again." he asked him and tears hit Kota's face. He saw Kei's crying face for the first time that he never seen before or possible anyone inside the school. He was always considered as a cold beauty because he doesn't talk that much to others and he was always alone. He never showed emotions towards people and he didn't realized until then that he was a fragile one.
"The first thing you should do… is to go back to your mother and apologized for a crazy thing you tried to do." Kota told him. "And also… can you stand up already… your heavy."
Kei immediately get off from Kota when he realized that they were in an awkward position. At the same time a nurse arrived and brought Kei back to his room while Kota stayed in the rooftop and look at the view from above. The place was relaxing and he loves the wind breeze touching his skin, cold and calming. He tried to stand at the same position as Kei did and he was surprised of how high he was standing and if ever he falls he will really die in an instant. He stepped back, curious about Kei's reason as to why he wanted to do that and why he was even in the hospital wearing clothes provided for the patient. He was too young to have problem like jobs and relationship but he can't deny that even at a young age like them can feel suicidal at times. If only his mother was not with him then maybe he also tried to do that… since he can't take anymore what his father was doing to him.
He can't get rid of it on his mind why Kei was in the hospital and so he tried to search for him all over the place until he heard a voice of a woman worried about her son. He overhead the conversation and upon hearing the little boy's voice he knew that it was his classmate.
"Where did you go? I am searching for you. I was worried… I am so worried. I thought something bad happen to you… I thought…" she cried and hugged Kei tightly like a loving mother do. Kota saw everything and he wondered why that boy wanted to kill himself when he have someone who will worry for him, when there is someone who will cry if he will be gone. Deep inside he thought that he have more rights to think that suicidal since he knew that even he will be gone or die no one will cry for him, no will search for him and no one will bother to care for him.
Kota was in the cafeteria eating his lunch but he was having a hard time since he was left handed and his left hand was in casket because of his broken bones. He tried his best to used his right hand but he was scattering his food. He tried another time but he failed. He sighed and it seems like he need to asked the help of the nurse again but when he is about to call one, someone grab his spoon and when he look in front he saw Kei. "What are you doing?"
"I'll feed you."
"I don't like." Kota told him. "Why will I make someone who almost give up on life feed me?"
"Don't be stingy.. I saw you are having a hard time so…"
"I don't like."
"Fine…" Kei said as he let go of the spoon but all of a sudden Kota's stomach grumble. "I hear that."
"It's not mine." Kota denied but Kei get the spoon again and put some food at it before he reach Kota's mouth.
"So the reason why you are not going to school is because of your hand?" Kei asked him out of the blue. "What happened to that?"
"Why are you in this hospital as well? Are you sick? What's with that suicidal act that you have?" he asked, he didn't want to answer Kei's question and so he asked before hand.
"I'll ask you first."
"I knew but there's no need to answer that."
"Then there's no need to answer yours as well." Kei answered back to him.
Both look at each other and after a minute they both laugh at each other. They never talk to each other at school and for their first conversation they talk like they were together for years. Their friendship started that day, after eating the food both of them went to the garden of the hospital where they tour around. They saw the hundred old tree and a nurse told them about it's legend that it can grant a wish. After a day of touring the hospital, they both felt tired and so they went to Kei's room which is a private room and can really show that he was a refine rich child.
"Can you answer me now?" Kota asked him as he get one apple of him and bite on it. "Why are you here?"
"I have a heart disease." Kei said. "My heart have a hole and so it's not functioning well. the doctor said that I need transplant which I really can't understand… they said they will cut my heart and change it with something else in order for me to prolong my life."
"Yo…you're going to die?"
"Yeah possible… that's the reason my mother always cry. You know… my father just died because of heart attack and now… it was me."
"That was tragic… i… I'm sorry." Kota said. it's the first time in his life that he heard about a story of someone already in the verge of dying and he really can't say anything but to apologized for opening a topic he should not.
"How about you? What happened to your hand?"
"Ahh… this? My father did it. He kicked me on my stomach and strangle me and then he hit me with a baseball bat making my bones broken like this." Kota told him.
"Yo..you're dad?" Kei asked him in surprised. "Wh…why will he do that to you? It's cruel… how about your mother? Wh…why is he not with you?"
"My mom is working and so she can't stay here everyday. My dad will get mad if she will not able to cook something for him and so she can't leave the house. It's fine with me I am well adapt for being all alone. I can do things on my own."
"But you can't eat on your own because of your condition."
"Well… there are lots of nurse who I can asked to do that to me." Kota answered back.
"If you want you can eat with me here… I mean… mom is bring home made food. The hospital food doesn't taste good and so I hate it. Do you want?"
"No, I don't want to accept kindness from anyone… I don't want to owe anyone."
"What's wrong with that?" a voice interrupted their conversation. "Eating with someone else is really great. Kei-chan, I cook your favorite food and I am glad I cook some extra… your friend here can join us."
Kota felt embarrassed, he stand up and decided to leave but Noren, Kei's mother, blocked the way. "You're going to stay for dinner."
"O…okay." Kota answered since he have no choice. He become weak all of a sudden by Noren's glare. She looks to young to be Kei's mother. It seems like she is just a sister to him. Kei introduced Kota to Noren while she was preparing for the food for the three of them. They talk about lots of things. Noren help Kota eat and so he felt awkward but he really enjoyed the meal. All the time he was eating all alone and he realized that it was not bad to trying eating with someone else.
Kota went back to his room, Noren washed the dishes that they used. "Kei-chan, you said that he was a Yabu right?"
"Yeah… Kota Yabu is his name. he is my classmate but we really didn't talk to each other. It's the first time today and it's amazing how we became so close to each other like a flash. I feel great talking to him."
"Kei, it's not like I am being strict but do… don't trust that boy that much." Noren told him. "I mean… you should not trust people easily. He maybe nice now but you know… people change and so…It's not like I don't want you and him to be friends but…"
"Mom… you keep on stuttering your words." Kei pointed her out and she just smiled at him and sit down besides him and give him lots of kisses.
"I love you Kei… I love you."
"Me too."
After a week, Kota was discharged in the hospital. He said goodbye to Kei and told him that he will going to visit him even the hospital is too far from their place. That's also the first time that Kei met Kota's mother who even didn't smile when she introduced herself to them and she looks so tired from working and it's obvious that all stress are all filed up for her that he doesn't have time to care for her self.
Kota actually didn't want to go back home. He didn't want to see his father who did that terrible thing to me. if he can do it before then he can still do it in the future and it seems like his mother was bothered about it. as they two walk at each other side by side going to the train station, he notice the bruise on his mother's hand. He wanted to asked where she get it but he was sure it was from his father. "Mom… do you…do you love that man?"
"Why did you asked that all of a sudden?"
"If you love him then I will try to like him as well despite of all the things that he was doing to us… i… I will not hate him. Because you like him… I will like him as well."
Suzanne look at him but she immediately look away. "Stop saying nonsense thing… it was given… you need to like him no matter what he do since he is your father."
Kota and Kei continued to have communication through phone. Kota need to save his allowance so that he have a fare going to the town to visit Kei in the hospital and sometimes he was doing some sidelines to earn money. After two weeks, he finally have enough money and in weekend he decided to visit Kei.
"Dad, I'm going somewhere." he said but Ryo didn't say anything and so he just went straight. He knew how to ride the train station after observing his mother and going to the hospital is not hard. On his way he bought some apples for a gift to the sick Kei. When he arrived the sky is starting to get dark and hinting that it will rain. He forgot to bring his umbrella and so he was worried.
He went to Kei's room but he was not there. He asked some nurse but they said that they didn't saw him and the nurses were becoming busy because it seems like the rain is about to start. he looked around and saw Kei in the garden in front of the hundred old tree. He went straight there and he saw him carving something on it.
"Kei… wh…what are you doing?" he asked him.
"They said that they are having a hard time searching for a heart compatible for me. They said that my life will end soon, they said that If… if… they can't find it I'll die soon." Kei cried. "What should I do Kota… what should I do… i… i… still don't want to die… i… I want to stay longer with mom and…. And… you…"
Kota approached Kei and saw that he have a cutter with him and his hand was bleeding. He also noticed the carving on the hundred old tree and he felt his heart skip a beat.
"Why it should be me? Why do I need to die? Why… I… I… please… someone… save me." Kei cried. Kota walk straight towards Kei and then he hug him tightly from the back. He didn't say a thing but Kei felt what he wanted to say. "Don't cry.. I wll be with you… you are not alone."
The rain falls down and both of them run towards a shelter. They both observed as the rain falls in the sky. "If I die…"
"You will not die."
"But… I heard it… they are having a hard time searching for a heart compatible to me."
"You prayed in that tree right? The nurse said that it can grant wishes who ever prayed for it in front of it. You carved your wish with your own hands, you are wounded because of doing that and so… it's impossible it can't hear your wishes. I am sure… it will come true."
"Kota, i… I don't believe on stuffs like that."
"But you do something you don't believe… you were desperate so I know it will be heard. Please stop saying things that you will be gone and die… I don't want it."
"But…"
"Kei… you are my first close friend and so… I don't want you to be gone. Even you don't believe on it I do believe on it. i… I will pray… I will pray in that tree for you to be cured and then you will get out of this hospital and we will going to play. We will be together for more years so promised me… don't loss hope… coz people surrounding you are not giving up."
"Do you want to hear a story about hope?" a nurse suddenly interrupted their conversation. It was the nurse that was taking care of Kei and she was nice and really pretty. Kei and Kota likes her because of her very bubbly attitude. "It's a Greek Mythology and it tells a story about the most beautiful woman who was given the box to take care of."
That's the first time that Kei and Kota heard about that story and for some reason it really amazed them and it remained on their mind. After a few days, a good news arrived that they found a heart compatible to Kei. Time didn't wait anymore and the operation happened. Kei was in coma for 2 weeks and they thought he will not wake up but his heart became stable and it was accepted by his body. Kota was so happy to talk to Kei again.
After a month Kei was discharge from the hospital and Kota became a visitor in their house. Noren also fancy him and so she always invited him whenever they eat and have some activity. Months passed by and Kei was finally well. They became close friend that made their classmate wonder why.
While Kei and Kota are eating outside Kota noticed something in a hole. It's like someone was watching over them and so he sneak a look and saw that there is really someone inside.
"Who are you?" the little Kota asked from the hole that he saw.
"I… I am Yuto Nakajima." Little Yuto answered.
"You're from the orphanage right? Do you want to play with us?"
"No… no… I am not allowed to go there."
"Really? Then me and Kei-chan will go there instead." Kota told him. Yuto didn't know what to do. Will he wait for them or will he go inside of the orphanage already but then with an unknown reason he waited for them. There are two boys who come and approached him. One tall guy with serious look on his face and then one pretty guy who was so white and pale. "Yo, I am Kota Yabu and this is Kei Inoo. Do you want to play with us?" he asked again.
DISCLAIMER: I didn't own any of the character but i own the plotXD
GENRE: romance, slice of life, drama
CHARACTERS: Inoo, Yabu, Yaotome, Arioka, Yamada, Takaki, Nakajima
SUMMARY: Hatred turned to love, silence turned to seeking and lies become truth. Kota just hit the rock bottom making him realize that memories should not remained unlock. He seek for truth, he yearned for what really happened and why things are going this and that. But what if he is going further to what is already near to him? Is everything gone too late to change? Everyone is given curiosity and so will you open the box as well?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the revised version of my on going fanfic Pandora's Box. Enjoy^___^
Pandora's Box
Chapter 36
"Memories"
Sharley was in the airport waiting to picked someone from the agency. She was waiting for the arrival when someone called her phone. According to her phone it was her best friend when she was still young and know everything about her.
"I told you… that guy's adopted son was still alive but he can't remember anything about me at all. Well of course I am shocked when I saw him but fortunately he can't remember what I did. I don't want to remember that… it was a mistake and I don't want to recall about it anymore but seeing him make me remember about it again. I am so stupid falling for that guy and even do whatever he asked me to do. To kidnapped that pretty boy… we even didn't gain anything at all. He died and leave me alone… he was so stupid." she said softly. "The pretty boy? I am not sure if he was still alive since I never seen him but if ever he saw me then for sure I am already in jail right now. I am sure he can remember my face. But don't worry… I know his name so I can track him wherever he is.. Yeah… his name… it's Kei Inoo." Sharley confessed. "For I know that boy might be already dead coz I heard he have a heart disease or something…"
"No… he is still alive." Sharley heard from somewhere. She thought that it was her friend who said that but she said he didn't say something. She ended the call instantly and look at her side where he saw a smaller guy than her staring smartly.
"I guess… you owe me an explanation... besides that pretty boy that you are talking about is my friend. Anyway… I'm Daiki Arioka and I just came back from France. Nice meeting you." he said as he offered his right hand for a shake.
...
"I'm home." the 9 years old Kota said as he entered the apartment that they were renting in Myojin. The house was so dark and lifeless and no one answered him back. He just went straight to his room and put his bag on it, go to the kitchen and cook something for dinner. After a few hours, his mother arrived from his work as a librarian and have some supply with her.
"Kou, water." she commanded. Kota immediately obey, he get a glass of water and give it to her instantly. He goes back to the food that he was cooking, making sure that it will taste good for his own mother. "Your dad?"
"He didn't arrived yet." he answered her. "Mom, dinner is finished. I'll make sure that it taste good."
"I don’t care, everything taste the same ones it reach the stomach." Suzanne replied to him. "I'm tired… I'll just take a bath and call me when your dad came."
"Ok." Kota answered.
Kota waited for his father to arrived but it's already 9 in the evening and he was not coming back. He was already hungry and the food that he cook already gone cold. His mother keep on asking him if he already arrived but there is no and not yet answered that comes to his mouth. 10 arrived and Kota falls asleep already and he just felt being kick in the stomach that woken him up.
"Yo, brat… get out of my way." Ryo told him. "Suzanne… dinner!" he shouted. "I'm hungry." he said again while drinking his bottle of alcohol.
Suzanne went out of the room and she saw Kota groaning in pain while touching his stomach but she just ignore him and started preparing for the meal. She knew Ryo was drunk again and he was in a bad mood. She put the food in the table and her husband started eating. Kota also sitted down to eat since he was hungry waiting for him but Ryo forbid him to eat in the same time as he is and so he waited for him to finished.
When Ryo finished his dinner he just went straight to his room and sleep. Suzanne clean his mess and then look at Kota who was just sitting as to where he was watching his father. "Kou, it's time for you to eat." she told him.
"Mom, why is dad like that? It seems like… he doesn't really cares about it." Kota said.
"Stop saying nonsense thing."
"Bu..but… he started to change now… he… he always go home drunk and also… he… he was not hesitating to hurt us."
Suzanne clang the dishes that make Kota jolted. "I told you to stop talking bad things about your father. Just eat and shut up." she scolded.
Ryo's physical abused didn't just end by kicking Kota. It continuous and day by day it just get worst. He went home drunk and also he started hitting Suzanne as well. He loss his job and he became a lazy drunkard who don't have goal in life. Kota go to school with an injured face, bruises and sometimes he collapsed because of hunger. There are times that he wanted to quit school but Suzanne didn't want it. Since he love his mother he did whatever she asked him to do without any questions and complains.
While packing his things into his bag he heard his classmate talking about one classmate of him. "Inoo-san looks so pretty but he have a very bad personality." one girl said.
"Yeah… I don't want him as well. He was so strict and he was always serious. It's hard to approach him."
"Even he looks so nice… it is a disappointment."
Kota ignored their words and he just exited the room. When he first entered the school it was Kei Inoo who he first noticed. He thought, what a wonderful girl, but then he ended up knowing that he is a guy. But even they were classmates they never talk to each other yet. They were both separated from the crowd. They have their own world and they don't have circle of friends but despite of the similarities they never tried being close to each other.
"Where is it? Where the hell is it?" Ryo asked madly. He keep on scattering things on his room as if he was searching for something. Kota was the only inside and he wanted to help his father searching for it but he was afraid that he will just be hurt. "Where is my camera?" he asked. "Kota… where is my camera?"
"C…camera?" Kota asked. "Yo…you mean the one you let me throw."
"Throw? You throw my camera?"
"Bu…but… you said that you don't want to photograph anymore and asked me to throw it away." Kota defended himself.
"Are you asshole? Why will I say that to something important to me. You are deceiving me… you brat… you bring unlucky things to me. I hope you will not born anymore."
"I…I am not deceiving you dad… you really said that to me. Asked mom and she will confirm it . She heard you said that to me."
Ryo pushed Kota on the floor and then tightened his grip on his left arm. "Yo…you… just seeing your face… I wanted to kill you."
"Da…dad… i…it hurt. Please let go of me." Kota said but he received a punch on the face and on the stomach.
"You need to be punish… punish.." he shouted. He get a bat that Kota used to play in baseball and without hesitation he hit Kota's left hand making him shout in pain. Because of its power there no doubt that his left arm was broken. "I wanted you to die… I wanted you to die…" he said.
Suzanne came in and saw what Ryo was doing to Kota. She pushed him away from his son but Ryo just pushed her away powerfully that she hit her back on the wall. "Mom…" Kota shouted. "Please stop… dad… please don't hurt mom." he said even he was suffering so much pain from his left arm. Ryo sighed and then go out of the house.
Suzanne approached Kota "What the hell did you do to him? Why was he so mad? I told you to not do things that will make him mad like that."
"But mom… he was searching for his camera that he asked me to throw and he was desperately searching for it." Kota answered her.
"You asshole… stupid son." she cursed. "Come here…" she said but then when he touched Kota he was hot and feverish and also his left arm was so swollen that he can't make it move. Upon seeing that, Suzanne's mother's instinct instantly work and he brought him to the hospital in the main city to be cured. The doctor treat him and said that he need to stay in the hospital for a week for his arm's recovery and also he was feverish and weak.
3 days of Kota staying in the hospital he felt bored by just staying on his room and so he take a tour in the hospital. He went to the rooftop where everything can be seen. It's rare for him to go to the main city and so he wanted to see everything. When he reach it he saw someone standing at the edge and it is someone he knew.
"Inoo." he called.
That little boy look at Kota and the two look at each other like it was the first time the two of them have an eye contact with each other. He remembered that movie that he watch in the television about a man standing at the same position and wanted to end his life because of all the problems that he have. He thought that his classmate was thinking the same and so he got worried and started to panic. "Wh…what are you doing? Why are you standing there? I…It's dangerous."
"I know." Kei answered him back.
"If you know then why still stay there. Come on… go down… come here."
"If I jump here… things will be over. I will not suffer, my mom will not suffer, everyone surrounding me will not suffer anymore. If I jump here then…"
"What the hell are you talking about… come on already." he said trying to stretch up his hand so that his classmate can take it.
"Why prolong my life when I will die anyway." he whispered. He took a deep breathe but he suddenly felt something heavy grabbed him and made him fall down the ground. He opened his eyes and he saw Kota below him holding him tightly so he won't go away.
"When you are planning to kill your life then don't do it in front of me." he shouted on him. "Besides why are you doing this? You are too young to die. You're not some old man who was kicked out of his job or being left out by his family like what I watched in the television."
"Then what should I do? I can't stand seeing my mom cry again." he asked him and tears hit Kota's face. He saw Kei's crying face for the first time that he never seen before or possible anyone inside the school. He was always considered as a cold beauty because he doesn't talk that much to others and he was always alone. He never showed emotions towards people and he didn't realized until then that he was a fragile one.
"The first thing you should do… is to go back to your mother and apologized for a crazy thing you tried to do." Kota told him. "And also… can you stand up already… your heavy."
Kei immediately get off from Kota when he realized that they were in an awkward position. At the same time a nurse arrived and brought Kei back to his room while Kota stayed in the rooftop and look at the view from above. The place was relaxing and he loves the wind breeze touching his skin, cold and calming. He tried to stand at the same position as Kei did and he was surprised of how high he was standing and if ever he falls he will really die in an instant. He stepped back, curious about Kei's reason as to why he wanted to do that and why he was even in the hospital wearing clothes provided for the patient. He was too young to have problem like jobs and relationship but he can't deny that even at a young age like them can feel suicidal at times. If only his mother was not with him then maybe he also tried to do that… since he can't take anymore what his father was doing to him.
He can't get rid of it on his mind why Kei was in the hospital and so he tried to search for him all over the place until he heard a voice of a woman worried about her son. He overhead the conversation and upon hearing the little boy's voice he knew that it was his classmate.
"Where did you go? I am searching for you. I was worried… I am so worried. I thought something bad happen to you… I thought…" she cried and hugged Kei tightly like a loving mother do. Kota saw everything and he wondered why that boy wanted to kill himself when he have someone who will worry for him, when there is someone who will cry if he will be gone. Deep inside he thought that he have more rights to think that suicidal since he knew that even he will be gone or die no one will cry for him, no will search for him and no one will bother to care for him.
Kota was in the cafeteria eating his lunch but he was having a hard time since he was left handed and his left hand was in casket because of his broken bones. He tried his best to used his right hand but he was scattering his food. He tried another time but he failed. He sighed and it seems like he need to asked the help of the nurse again but when he is about to call one, someone grab his spoon and when he look in front he saw Kei. "What are you doing?"
"I'll feed you."
"I don't like." Kota told him. "Why will I make someone who almost give up on life feed me?"
"Don't be stingy.. I saw you are having a hard time so…"
"I don't like."
"Fine…" Kei said as he let go of the spoon but all of a sudden Kota's stomach grumble. "I hear that."
"It's not mine." Kota denied but Kei get the spoon again and put some food at it before he reach Kota's mouth.
"So the reason why you are not going to school is because of your hand?" Kei asked him out of the blue. "What happened to that?"
"Why are you in this hospital as well? Are you sick? What's with that suicidal act that you have?" he asked, he didn't want to answer Kei's question and so he asked before hand.
"I'll ask you first."
"I knew but there's no need to answer that."
"Then there's no need to answer yours as well." Kei answered back to him.
Both look at each other and after a minute they both laugh at each other. They never talk to each other at school and for their first conversation they talk like they were together for years. Their friendship started that day, after eating the food both of them went to the garden of the hospital where they tour around. They saw the hundred old tree and a nurse told them about it's legend that it can grant a wish. After a day of touring the hospital, they both felt tired and so they went to Kei's room which is a private room and can really show that he was a refine rich child.
"Can you answer me now?" Kota asked him as he get one apple of him and bite on it. "Why are you here?"
"I have a heart disease." Kei said. "My heart have a hole and so it's not functioning well. the doctor said that I need transplant which I really can't understand… they said they will cut my heart and change it with something else in order for me to prolong my life."
"Yo…you're going to die?"
"Yeah possible… that's the reason my mother always cry. You know… my father just died because of heart attack and now… it was me."
"That was tragic… i… I'm sorry." Kota said. it's the first time in his life that he heard about a story of someone already in the verge of dying and he really can't say anything but to apologized for opening a topic he should not.
"How about you? What happened to your hand?"
"Ahh… this? My father did it. He kicked me on my stomach and strangle me and then he hit me with a baseball bat making my bones broken like this." Kota told him.
"Yo..you're dad?" Kei asked him in surprised. "Wh…why will he do that to you? It's cruel… how about your mother? Wh…why is he not with you?"
"My mom is working and so she can't stay here everyday. My dad will get mad if she will not able to cook something for him and so she can't leave the house. It's fine with me I am well adapt for being all alone. I can do things on my own."
"But you can't eat on your own because of your condition."
"Well… there are lots of nurse who I can asked to do that to me." Kota answered back.
"If you want you can eat with me here… I mean… mom is bring home made food. The hospital food doesn't taste good and so I hate it. Do you want?"
"No, I don't want to accept kindness from anyone… I don't want to owe anyone."
"What's wrong with that?" a voice interrupted their conversation. "Eating with someone else is really great. Kei-chan, I cook your favorite food and I am glad I cook some extra… your friend here can join us."
Kota felt embarrassed, he stand up and decided to leave but Noren, Kei's mother, blocked the way. "You're going to stay for dinner."
"O…okay." Kota answered since he have no choice. He become weak all of a sudden by Noren's glare. She looks to young to be Kei's mother. It seems like she is just a sister to him. Kei introduced Kota to Noren while she was preparing for the food for the three of them. They talk about lots of things. Noren help Kota eat and so he felt awkward but he really enjoyed the meal. All the time he was eating all alone and he realized that it was not bad to trying eating with someone else.
Kota went back to his room, Noren washed the dishes that they used. "Kei-chan, you said that he was a Yabu right?"
"Yeah… Kota Yabu is his name. he is my classmate but we really didn't talk to each other. It's the first time today and it's amazing how we became so close to each other like a flash. I feel great talking to him."
"Kei, it's not like I am being strict but do… don't trust that boy that much." Noren told him. "I mean… you should not trust people easily. He maybe nice now but you know… people change and so…It's not like I don't want you and him to be friends but…"
"Mom… you keep on stuttering your words." Kei pointed her out and she just smiled at him and sit down besides him and give him lots of kisses.
"I love you Kei… I love you."
"Me too."
After a week, Kota was discharged in the hospital. He said goodbye to Kei and told him that he will going to visit him even the hospital is too far from their place. That's also the first time that Kei met Kota's mother who even didn't smile when she introduced herself to them and she looks so tired from working and it's obvious that all stress are all filed up for her that he doesn't have time to care for her self.
Kota actually didn't want to go back home. He didn't want to see his father who did that terrible thing to me. if he can do it before then he can still do it in the future and it seems like his mother was bothered about it. as they two walk at each other side by side going to the train station, he notice the bruise on his mother's hand. He wanted to asked where she get it but he was sure it was from his father. "Mom… do you…do you love that man?"
"Why did you asked that all of a sudden?"
"If you love him then I will try to like him as well despite of all the things that he was doing to us… i… I will not hate him. Because you like him… I will like him as well."
Suzanne look at him but she immediately look away. "Stop saying nonsense thing… it was given… you need to like him no matter what he do since he is your father."
Kota and Kei continued to have communication through phone. Kota need to save his allowance so that he have a fare going to the town to visit Kei in the hospital and sometimes he was doing some sidelines to earn money. After two weeks, he finally have enough money and in weekend he decided to visit Kei.
"Dad, I'm going somewhere." he said but Ryo didn't say anything and so he just went straight. He knew how to ride the train station after observing his mother and going to the hospital is not hard. On his way he bought some apples for a gift to the sick Kei. When he arrived the sky is starting to get dark and hinting that it will rain. He forgot to bring his umbrella and so he was worried.
He went to Kei's room but he was not there. He asked some nurse but they said that they didn't saw him and the nurses were becoming busy because it seems like the rain is about to start. he looked around and saw Kei in the garden in front of the hundred old tree. He went straight there and he saw him carving something on it.
"Kei… wh…what are you doing?" he asked him.
"They said that they are having a hard time searching for a heart compatible for me. They said that my life will end soon, they said that If… if… they can't find it I'll die soon." Kei cried. "What should I do Kota… what should I do… i… i… still don't want to die… i… I want to stay longer with mom and…. And… you…"
Kota approached Kei and saw that he have a cutter with him and his hand was bleeding. He also noticed the carving on the hundred old tree and he felt his heart skip a beat.
"Why it should be me? Why do I need to die? Why… I… I… please… someone… save me." Kei cried. Kota walk straight towards Kei and then he hug him tightly from the back. He didn't say a thing but Kei felt what he wanted to say. "Don't cry.. I wll be with you… you are not alone."
The rain falls down and both of them run towards a shelter. They both observed as the rain falls in the sky. "If I die…"
"You will not die."
"But… I heard it… they are having a hard time searching for a heart compatible to me."
"You prayed in that tree right? The nurse said that it can grant wishes who ever prayed for it in front of it. You carved your wish with your own hands, you are wounded because of doing that and so… it's impossible it can't hear your wishes. I am sure… it will come true."
"Kota, i… I don't believe on stuffs like that."
"But you do something you don't believe… you were desperate so I know it will be heard. Please stop saying things that you will be gone and die… I don't want it."
"But…"
"Kei… you are my first close friend and so… I don't want you to be gone. Even you don't believe on it I do believe on it. i… I will pray… I will pray in that tree for you to be cured and then you will get out of this hospital and we will going to play. We will be together for more years so promised me… don't loss hope… coz people surrounding you are not giving up."
"Do you want to hear a story about hope?" a nurse suddenly interrupted their conversation. It was the nurse that was taking care of Kei and she was nice and really pretty. Kei and Kota likes her because of her very bubbly attitude. "It's a Greek Mythology and it tells a story about the most beautiful woman who was given the box to take care of."
That's the first time that Kei and Kota heard about that story and for some reason it really amazed them and it remained on their mind. After a few days, a good news arrived that they found a heart compatible to Kei. Time didn't wait anymore and the operation happened. Kei was in coma for 2 weeks and they thought he will not wake up but his heart became stable and it was accepted by his body. Kota was so happy to talk to Kei again.
After a month Kei was discharge from the hospital and Kota became a visitor in their house. Noren also fancy him and so she always invited him whenever they eat and have some activity. Months passed by and Kei was finally well. They became close friend that made their classmate wonder why.
While Kei and Kota are eating outside Kota noticed something in a hole. It's like someone was watching over them and so he sneak a look and saw that there is really someone inside.
"Who are you?" the little Kota asked from the hole that he saw.
"I… I am Yuto Nakajima." Little Yuto answered.
"You're from the orphanage right? Do you want to play with us?"
"No… no… I am not allowed to go there."
"Really? Then me and Kei-chan will go there instead." Kota told him. Yuto didn't know what to do. Will he wait for them or will he go inside of the orphanage already but then with an unknown reason he waited for them. There are two boys who come and approached him. One tall guy with serious look on his face and then one pretty guy who was so white and pale. "Yo, I am Kota Yabu and this is Kei Inoo. Do you want to play with us?" he asked again.